Teaching and Training, Day 19 Influence and family legacy. It matters how we live our lives and the example we set. Read 2 Timothy 1:1-5. As Paul is starting this letter, some time has passed and Timothy has gone through several difficulties. Now, Paul is writing this letter not only to teach and to train Timothy, but also to encourage him. No matter what role we have as we are moving forward, we all need encouragement from time to time. Timothy is discouraged so Paul reminds Timothy that he is part of a legacy of faith that began with his grandmother. When we think about what we do today, will…

Teaching and Training, Day 18 What do we put our hope in? Regardless of what we have or do not have in this world, our hope is in Christ. Read 1 Timothy 6:17-21. As Paul is closing out this first letter to Timothy, we see his final reminders. No matter what Timothy has in this world, his hope should always be in Christ. Regardless of whether he is rich or not, Christ is the only thing worth placing your trust in. Paul is sharing this with Timothy so that he can remind his church this truth is well. What do we place our hope in? Are we seeking after possessions…

Teaching and Training, Day 17 What to pursue? As Paul has just finished telling Timothy all the things he should be avoiding. Now we see all the things that Timothy should be pursuing. Read 1 Timothy 6:11-16. We cannot simply avoid sin in our lives. Instead, we must replace the sinful thoughts, desires, and actions with thoughts and actions of righteousness and godliness. Otherwise, it’s way too difficult to completely avoid if we have not put something back in its place. What are we actively pursuing? How can we make a greater priority for these characteristics in our life? As we are seeking after God, we will pursue righteousness and…

Teaching and Training, Day 16 Stuff. We all seem so amazingly preoccupied with teying to attain as much of it as possible. Read 1 Timothy 6:7-10. As Paul continues to teach Timothy, we see him moving into some of the more practical pieces of advice. I’m sure Timothy, just like many other Christians in that day and time, were not immune to the desire to accumulate stuff. We see that even now, especially in the Western culture. We desire to have as much as we can for various reasons. Sometimes it’s a symbol of status or power. Sometimes it’s just for our own personal pleasure. However, Paul reminds Timothy that…

Teaching and Training, Day 15 What does it mean to have gain? Paul gives Timothy an interesting definition as we read through the first part of chapter 6. Read 1 Timothy 6:1-6. So much of what is said in these verses deals with the issue of slavery, which in this day and time often meant financial indebtedness. Most people were slaves either because they had been conquered by another country or because they were financially in debt. Paul recognizes this as a situation that people are in and gives some direction on how slaves who have become believers in Christ should handle their situation. But then he goes on to…

Teaching and Training, Day 14 The good that you do. So often it can feel like the good things that we do get lost. They disappear and escape the notice of others. Read 1 Timothy 5:9-25. God sees. No one else in this entire world may see the good things that we do, but God sees them. They are not lost forever. We did not act in vain. God sees; God knows. The motivation behind why we are doing good things becomes important. If we are only doing good things in order to get noticed or to receive our reward here on earth, then that is the extent of our…

Teaching and Training, Day 13 Actions. The Christian life it’s not about words. The Christian life is about what we do. Read 1 Timothy 5:1-8. As Paul continues to give instructions to Timothy, we find that his instructions take on a much more applicable focus. Timothy cannot just know the things that Paul is sharing. Timothy must actually do these things. So must everyone else. If we are going to say that we are followers of Jesus Christ, our actions must indicate and demonstrate what we talk about. Otherwise, we are simply lying to ourselves and everyone else. Knowing something, but not doing it, is the height of hypocrisy. Is…

Teaching and Training, Day 12 What you do matters. When we think about all yhat goes on throughout the day, sometimes much of what I do seems so trivial. Yet, there is still purpose. Read 1 Timothy 4:11-16. Paul gives Timothy some very wise advice in these verses. He helps Timothy to understand that his ability to lead and influence others has nothing to do with his age. Timothy is to continue being an example and a leader to people even though he was young. For us, we are to continue being an example to people as well, regardless of age. We must understand that our actions and what we…

Teaching and Training, Day 11 Workouts. It’s interesting to see just how many people are focused on getting and staying physically fit. Paul mentions something similar here. Read 1 Timothy 4:6-10. Instead of only focusing on our physical health and well being, we should be focused on our spiritual health and well being. As Paul mentions, there’s definitely benefit to physical workouts and physical training, but those benefits are limited to this life and this life only. When we take the time to spiritually train ourselves, workout, and exercise our understanding of who God is and and how we can have more faith in him, we are improving ourselves not…

Teaching and Training, Day 10 Commitment. When we think about all that God has done for us, it can be hard to imagine turning our back on him. Yet that is exactly what some will do. They are not committed. Read 1 Timothy 4:1-5. Following Christ is not easy. We are not promised a simple and pain-free life. Jesus certainly didn’t have things easy. God is still worthy of being followed, no matter whether things are easy or not. Yet many people end up not being committed to Christ. They are only following based on what they think they can get from Christ. There will be people who fall away.…